Thomas Joseph Gard

Thomas “Tom” Gard passed away at home, in the early morning hours, on June 11, 2025.Born in Chicago, Illinois to John and Sylvia (nee Volsahlik) Gard, Tom lived with his brother and sister in Berwyn, Illinois. When he was five, the family moved to Riverside, Illinois where he attended Central Elementary and Riverside Jr High, graduating at Riverside- High School in 1961.

Tom was in the Lettermen’s Club for baseball, track, football, and for his four years competing in basketball.In 1960-61, Tom was the only one honored, as an outstanding athlete, on his basketball team to compete on an All-Conference Basketball Team.

Tom attended North Central College, in Naperville, Illinois, on a four-year basketball scholarship. He graduated with a B.A. in Mathematics in 1965. He was selected in the 1964-65 Edition of Who’s Who Among Students in America Universities and Colleges.

After college, Tom taught math and coached basketball at Lundahl Jr High in Crystal Lake, Illinois for five years.

His wife, Barbara Jean (nee Setzke) went to the same high school, Riverside-Brookfield, Tom being a year ahead. In 1967, they met through a mutual friend and married in 1968. In 1970, they moved to Evergreen, Colorado where Tom taught for three years at Jefferson High School before transferring to Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado.

Shortly after moving to Evergreen, Tom started volunteering at Evergreen/Fire Rescue from 1973-1985 as a firefighter.

In 1970, Tom attended the University of Montana, for four summers. In 1973, he received his M.A. in mathematics, funded by the National Science Foundation.

Tom received many honors for his teaching at EHS. In 1985 he was a nominee for the 1985 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Math Teaching.

In 1991, one of his students had written a letter to Channel 4, nominating Mr. Gard for the “Teachers Who Make a Difference” award.

1995, one of his students, who was at U.S. Military Academy at West Point, recognized Tom with the Boettcher Foundation Teacher Recognition Award. Teachers who played an important role in their lives.

1996-97 Evergreen Kiwanis Club presented to Tom the Teacher of the Year Award in recognition of superior performance.

Mr. Gard enjoyed his students and worked very hard to prepare for his classes. He also coached boys and girls basketball for fifteen years.

Tom loved to fish and hunt. Every September he would fly to Ketchikan, AK with his sons and friends to fish in the ocean for silver salmon and halibut. In the fall, he hunted pheasants, deer, elk, antelope and bear. In retirement, he and Barbara Jean would travel throughout the states in their RV hiking and birding.

Tom is predeceased by his parents, his brother, John and sister-in-law, Evelyn; sister Marjorie; and grandson Toby Gard.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Jean, of 57 years, son Brian (Heather) and granddaughter Leah; son Kevin and 1st wife, Amy, and granddaughter Macy, 2nd wife, Rachel, and grandsons Tatum and Gavin; son Loren (Claire); brother-in-law, Marv Setzke (Victoria); nieces Tiffiany, Allison, Jennifer, Julie and their families.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 County Hwy 73, on Saturday, June 28th at 10:00 AM.